Arsenal handed Noni Madueke penalty verdict vs Brentford after VAR decision

Arsenal appealed for a penalty in the first half of their Premier League clash against Brentford

Arsenal have been given a verdict on their appeals for a penalty during their Premier League clash against Brentford. The Gunners went into the clash against the Bees looking to extend their three-point lead at the top of the league table.

Mikel Arteta’s side were looking to respond to Manchester City, who defeated Fulham 3-0 on Wednesday night to close the gap at the top of the table.

There were appeals for a penalty for Arsenal after Noni Madueke went to ground following a collision with Brentford defender Rico Henry.

Madueke appealed for a spot-kick, but referee John Brooks waved play on, and the on-field decision of no penalty was subsequently confirmed by VAR.

TNT Sports were broadcasting the match live in the UK on Thursday night, with Lucy Ward on commentary duty at the Gtech Community Stadium and giving her verdict on Madueke’s penalty appeals.

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"He did have a couple of hands on him, Rico Henry,” Ward said. "Madueke is asking the question.

"Whether there's enough of contact, I am not sure there's enough but Madueke felt it.

"Just that little touch he probably wasn't expecting."

After getting to the interval with the score line still goalless, Madueke would go on to give Arsenal the lead in the second half before Keane Lewis-Potter equalised for Brentford a few minutes later.

Just a minute before Brentford equalised, Arteta opted to substitute Madueke and replace him with Bukayo Saka, who made his return from injury.

Saka had missed Arsenal’s last four matches in all competitions, including three in the Premier League, having suffered an injury during the warm-up before the win over Leeds United at the end of last month.

Martin Odegaard also made his return from injury for Arsenal during the game, making an appearance from the bench by replacing Eberechi Eze at the interval.

Arsenal were still without Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz and Max Dowman for the clash against Brentford due to injury, while William Saliba was also not in the squad due to illness.

“This morning Wilo [Saliba] wasn’t feeling good so he’s ill, and he’s at home," Arteta said before kick-off between Arsenal and Brentford. "Just short-term."

"After the game that we played against Sunderland, Kai [Havertz] felt a little niggle, so we need to wait and see how long he is going to be out for.”

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